Fischer, NE Delegation Urge Major Disaster Declaration for Wildfires in Letter to Trump

The letter was signed by the entire NE delegation in DC

Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and

U.S. Representatives Mike Flood (NE-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Adrian Smith (NE-03)

sent a letter to President Donald Trump supporting Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen’s

request for a major disaster declaration following wildfires across the state.

Read the letter below:

Dear Mr. President:

We write in support of Governor Jim Pillen’s request for a major disaster

declaration, which followed wildfires that have broken out and forced evacuations,

for the Nebraska counties of Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morrill Counties

over periods during March and April of 2026.

The Morrill, Cottonwood, Ashby, and Minor Fires collectively burned over 800,000

acres across Nebraska, with the Morrill Fire alone burning over 640,000 acres, a

Nebraska record. Extreme drought combined with high winds and low humidity led to

unpredictable behavior and mass destruction.

We know our Nebraskan communities will prove their resilience as they continue to

recover from this hardship, as they have exhibited many times in previous years. We

encourage the federal government to join with the state in their ongoing efforts to

contain these wildfires and provide assistance where it is needed.

We stand ready and willing to assist in any way possible to ensure prompt evaluation

of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions.